Vacation Bible School Dates Announced!

This year's Vacation Bible School will be held the week of 7/13-7/17. We are now accepting reservations. Don't let your children miss out on what is sure to be another fun, faith-building week with the counselors from Calumet.

Sunday School Bake Sale 2/1

The Sunday School is having a bake sale this Sunday, February 1 to benefit CUP International's orphanage in Hosur, India. Whether you'd like to contribute some tasty morsels or pick up some goodies for munching during the big game, it all goes to help children in need.

Remember too this first Sunday of the month is a Project Feed Sunday and Youth Sunday so we will be accepting food pantry donations during the offering and providing lots of opportunities for children to participate in the worship.

It's a wonderful Sunday to visit. Hope to see you there.

Pictures from the Children's Christmas Program

Thank you to all who helped especially to the children, the "stars" of the show.

Let the Little Children Come to St. Ansgar

This Sunday, October 5th, St. Ansgar will begin a new and exciting worship series. The first Sunday of each month will feature a child-centered service. The children of the congregation as well as visiting children will be encouraged to participate in activities such as the gospel procession and the children's sermon.

Please note that the first Sunday of the month is also Project Feed Sunday. Families might want to consider developing a tradition of choosing items to donate in preparation for this special service.

Hope to see you there!

A Spring Update!

Hello, everyone. The website has not been updated in a while, but please don't think that things came to a halt at St. Ansgar. Your friendly webmaster has been dealing with happy, but busy life changes. While I was away from the site, ......

The Sunday School Christmas Pageant which had been delayed by snow was performed in early January to the delight of the congregation.

Valentine's Day provided lots of opportunities to brighten up the whitest of winters. The Sunday School decorated the church with colorful heart posters. The Sewing Group put together cheerful Valentine's baskets for shut-ins. The congregation exchanged valentines at coffee hour.

Lent was a time of community and prayerful reflection. As is our yearly tradition, we teamed up with First Lutheran, Trinity, and Emmaus for Wednesday evening services. The theme this Lent was finding meaning in work. The services were preceded by soup dinners and a pickup chorus. A somber holy week was followed by our Festive Easter worship. Young and old enjoyed punctuating the alleluias with bells and assembling a cross of fresh flowers. Many attended the Easter Breakfast before service, filling up on pancakes and funding camperships to Calumet for the youth in the congregation.

The Sunday School had another bake sale to benefit the orphanage in Hosur, India.

This Saturday a group of church members and friends came out for a Spring Potluck and Game Night. The food was fantastic, and all enjoyed the games and sing-a-long.

Happy Spring all!

Christmas Keepsake Raffle Continues!

If you didn't buy your raffle tickets for this beautiful, homemade Christmas wall hanging at the fair, it is not too late. The raffle runs through the St. Lucia Festival this Sunday, December 9th. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. Good luck!

Enjoy a Swedish Tradition on Sun, 12/9 at 4:00PM!

This year St. Ansgar will hold its St. Lucia Festival on Sunday, December 9th at 4PM. The event is free and open to the public.

What is the St. Lucia Festival? It is a Swedish Christian tradition that dates from the 14th century. According to the old Julian Calendar, December 13th was the longest night of the year, and thus marked the first step toward spring, with its promise of light and sunshine. It is on this date that the people of Sweden celebrate the Lucia Festival. Christian legend has it that the Romans betrayed Lucia. Later, Vikings impressed by her faith, are said to have brought her legend to Scandinavia from Sicily, where she is the patron saint of fishermen.

Every year at St. Ansgar, the St. Lucia legend is told. Authentic Swedish carols are sung, and a young woman from the congregation is crowned the “Queen of Light.” Traditional Scandinavian refreshments are served, and unique items from our International Table are available.

This year, St. Ansgar is pleased to announce that Kristina Ann Birthisel, age 16, will be honored as this year's Queen of Light." Kristina is a mostly home-schooled student and plans to attend Greely High School and/or USM Early Studies Program next semester. She is the daughter of Karen and Bill Birthisel of Cumberland.